Birthday Bliss Shares and Experiences

As I re-watched Chapter 6: Joy Sparkling, and saw Gurumayi cutting the birthday cake I remembered this moment from the satsang that day in Shri Nilaya.

The birthday cake was topped with a mango tree made of chocolate and marzipan. In the branches of the tree were pieces of paper with virtues written on them. Everyone in Shree Muktananda Ashram was invited to write virtues and these surrounded the base of the cake.

During the satsang, Gurumayi said that the word must have spread that everyone in the Ashram had been writing virtues to place around the birthday cake. Gurumayi shared that, two days before, she received a vase made of blue glass, sent by a family as a birthday gift. The family had placed slips of paper inside the vase with virtues and phrases written on them. Gurumayi put her hand inside the vase and took out one of the papers. The words written on it were, “Bliss Unlimited!” As Gurumayi finished telling the story she said, “Wah! Wah!” and began to sing “Anandatse Dohi,” the abhanga by Tukaram Maharaj. Everyone in the hall immediately joined in.

The translation of the abhanga says,

“In the great flood of bliss, waves are surging
and they too are nothing but bliss,
for bliss is the nature of every particle of this body of bliss.”

This memory reminds me that we are all connected. We are all one with this ocean of bliss.

a Siddha Yogi from New York, USA

I have been following the Siddha Yoga path since January of 2010. My friends, who are devotees in Kansas City, have shared stories about hearing Gurumayi speak at the Shaktipat Intensives and about their visits to the Ashram.

Seeing Gurumayi on the website brought tears to my eyes as, for the first time, I saw her bodily form enter a room. When she sat to chant and looked directly at me through the lens of the camera, her Birthday Bliss became my bliss. What a treat! Thank you, thank you for this wonderful gift.

a Siddha Yogi from Missouri, USA

Now that I've seen Gurumayi meditating through the Birthday Bliss and the Gurupurnima webcasts, it is much easier for me to focus on her in my meditation. I'm so grateful for that!

Thank you Gurumayi for all the uncountable gifts we received throughout the celebrations.

a Siddha Yogi from Brazil

Not too long ago I made a wish. I wanted to go to Shree Muktananda Ashram with my husband. He is not a Siddha Yogi, so it seemed like a very distant possibility. On your birthday though, you granted me my wish. I was sitting in my living room watching the video of the Temple and Gurumayi meditating, and my husband came and said, "share that with me!" He sat down next to me and we were in the Ashram together. What a precious way to celebrate your birthday.

I am filled with sweet gratitude.

a Siddha Yogi from California, USA

As Gurumayi entered Bhagavan Nityananda's Temple for his darshan and meditation my eyes welled up with love—soft, sweet, divine love. I received Gurumayi’s darshan.

I am experiencing stillness, peace, longing for God, and gratitude for the great good fortune we all have and for the boundless grace and love bestowed upon our lives by the birth of the Great Guru, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Happy Birthday Gurumayi.

a Siddha Yogi from Melbourne, Australia

With this Pilgrimage for your birthday, you remind me how much our day can be raised up by the practices and the highest intentions.

a Siddha Yogi from France

I woke up at 5:00 a.m. to chant Shri Guru Gita and check the internet for the Pilgrimage. I was immediately overwhelmed by the sight of Bhagavan Nityananda's murti in the Temple where I have spent so much time.

When my children woke up I shared the next two posts with them. My seven-year-old son's face lit up when he saw Gurumayi. He exclaimed, "I'm so glad that it's Gurumayi's Birthday!"

a Siddha Yogi from New York, USA

My wife and I woke up on June 24th and wished each other Happy Birthday Bliss. Then we went right to the Siddha Yoga path website and saw this beautiful flame. So still. So silent. Then the padukas and then…Bhagavan Nityananda! One word arises, emerveillement (wonder).

a Siddha Yogi from Montreal, Canada

I love “Words from Gurumayi, Birthday Bliss 2012,” the slideshow of words and images.

I wanted to spend time with each of them, so I decided to make each one a dharana for a day, bringing the memory of the words and images into my day. The first one I did this with was Be gentle. Be humble. Be strong. I looked at the photo of Gurumayi resting her hand on the tree trunk and thought about how trees embody these three qualities – gentle, humble, and strong – and reflected on the ways I also embody these qualities.

Later in the day I took a walk. I always enjoy looking at the variety of wild grasses that grow on the hillside around the lake, near where I live. One type of grass was at least five feet tall, with such a slender stalk and large bushy seed pouch at the top that I marveled that it didn’t break. I thought, “how amazing is God’s architecture!”

I saw how the three qualities were manifested in this grass: gentleness—as the grass swayed back and forth in the soft breeze; humbleness—of this one grass amongst millions, living its short life in the field; strength—as it bore the increased wind that bent it almost over without breaking it.

We are so fortunate to have the Sadguru in our lives!

a Siddha Yogi from Connecticut, USA

I have been like such a little child, so keen to pick mangos in the courtyard at Gurudev Siddha Peeth; waiting, watching, and uncovering such beautiful stories. Such delight and sweetness, so many beautiful teachings to contemplate in each story.

Reciting Shri Guru Gita in the morning, I notice and watch for each verse that is highlighted in the courtyard mangos. They feel so different now, these verses jump off the page to greet me as I sing.

Happy Happy Birthday Gurumayi !!

Thank you so much for this great wonder, to explore and celebrate together.

I love you Gurumayi.

a Siddha Yogi from Australia

After meditating this morning, as I was preparing myself for the day, I found myself humming the bhajan, Anandatse Dohi.

When I got to my office, the first thing I did was log onto my computer and go to the Siddha Yoga path website to see what surprises awaited.

As per my routine for the past week, I sat and made a wish with the Birthday Bliss Dharana and then went to the Ganeshpuri courtyard to see if... Yes! There were more mangos! I clicked on the new bunch of magical mangos and, lo and behold, the words to Anandatse Dohi appeared right before my eyes! I couldn’t believe it!

Hearing the bhajan within myself while not yet “knowing” it was on the website, reaching the entire globe, was a sweet confirmation of my Guru’s all-pervasive presence, love, and grace. And when I reflected on this, I experienced that I, too, am God. That is an amazing thought and it makes me so happy!

To have the direct experience of this Truth is the best gift ever. It is the Birthday Bliss gift that keeps on giving.

Thank you SO much, Gurumayi.

a Siddha Yogi from New York, USA

As I contemplated what gift I would like to offer you on your Birthday, I realized no matter what I give you, you give back so much more to me! Birthday Bliss is a gift to celebrate. When I first read the dharana, I made a long list of wishes I had and which I fervently whispered to the flame each day, sometimes twice a day!

During the Birthday satsang, as I did the contemplation, I had only one wish: that I see the Self in everyone.

With love

a Siddha Yogi from India, in Montreal

Looking up “mango” on the web, I was delighted to find this: “The perfectly ripe mango is often held by Lord Ganesh as a symbol of attainment in regard to the devotee’s potential perfection.”

Thank you, Gurumayi, for always—meaning every moment in time—loving us so sweetly.

With lots and lots of love and deep gratitude for showering us with such great auspicious gifts on YOUR Birthday.

a Siddha Yogi from New Jersey, USA

I have been practicing the Birthday Bliss Dharana every day. I go into meditation with it or sometimes I practice it with my eyes open during my morning walks with my dog.

Practicing the dharana has opened a door to my heart; I listen to my heart’s wish resonating with the clarity of Truth. There is no “getting-lost-in-what-I-really-want-to-wish”, there is simply visualizing the steady flame, listening to my heart’s wish and watching the flame grow and dance illumined by love. Then I delight in my being enveloped, bathed and enthused by the golden blue iridescent light of the prasad of the Guru’s grace through which everything is attained.

In this way, each day I celebrate Birthday Bliss. I celebrate the rarity of this human birth, walking the Siddha Yoga path infused with Gurumayi’s grace, love, and life-transforming teachings.

a Siddha Yogi from Brazil

Each day since we were given the Birthday Bliss Dharana, I have made a different wish. And I have noticed that one thing remains the same with each day, with each wish.

I may wish for something in my own sadhana — to be more aware of messages from the Self throughout my day.

I may wish for the SYDA Foundation to be supported by the love and skills and seva of dedicated Siddha Yoga students.

I may wish for continued, radiant health.

No matter what it is that I wish for, the one constant I find with each wish is that I always end up in a state of thanksgiving.

I remember the phrase from the dharana: "and receive the prasad of the Guru’s grace,” and I am filled with humility and gratitude.

Thank you, Gurumayi! Thank you for the prasad of your grace! Thank you for the teachings that buoy me up and protect me throughout my life! Thank you for your unceasing love! Thank you for granting me my deepest wishes!

Happy Birthday, Gurumayi!

I love you

a Siddha Yogi from California

On your birthday we came together to chant and to meditate. We were reciting Shri Guru Gita and at 11:30 a.m. Swiss time (5:30 a.m. US time) we entered the Siddha Yoga path website.

Tears were flowing out of our eyes; tears of gratitude, tears of joy, tears of longing. And the tears were melting everything which is not yet melted!

Thank you Gurumayi, our beloved Guru. Thank you to the website team which is able to bring us so close to the Guru and to the Ashram. Thank you with all our hearts.

devotees at the Siddha Yoga Meditation Center in Zürich, Switzerland

I experienced the images in Chapter 1, "Invoking Grace" were not just images, but were full of glistening Consciousness, alive, brimming with Kundalini Shakti.

The gently swaying flame and the beautiful red and orange roses, with their delicate petals bathed me in warmth. The warmth of God's love; the warmth of the great Heart.

I was filled with a deep stillness and reverence by the padukas and Bade Baba's murti. I felt that I was able to have that beautiful, personal moment in the Bade Baba temple, and be with him, to be in that moment of asking for and accepting grace.

Now I am resting in that warmth and grace.

With love,a Siddha Yogi from the United Kingdom

A gardenia blossomed this weekend in our garden for your birthday. We will share the gardenia with the sangham in Sarasota, Florida. Just as we are surrounded by the fragrance of the gardenia, we are all surrounded by your love, Bade Baba's love, and Baba's love each day. With our eyes and hearts open, we see your loving presence with us every day in nature.

We love you, Gurumayi

two Siddha Yogis from Florida

The sweetness and radiant divinity of Bhagavan’s face at the morning Arati reminds me that Bliss begets Bliss and Love merges into Love. My heart melts as I experience the sweet nectar of worshiping the Guru’s sandals. Thank you Gurumayi for this pilgrimage to the Heart.

a Siddha Yogi from New York

Dear fellow lovers of God,

At 8:30 p.m. in the evening, in Sydney, I went to the website after a very busy weekend minding my small children by myself. I was feeling harried and somewhat out of sorts. I prepared myself and switched on the video.

The flame invited, or even instructed, me to stop and just be. I have been listening to the dharana every night and that practice seems to have built up into a recognition of the flame as a very stilling and powerful symbol.

The silence of the Temple was enveloping, I felt myself immediately being drawn in further, drawn in to the Temple and drawn in-to myself. The stillness was palpable, everything seemed to stop. I found myself replaying the video a number of times, each time being pulled deeper into meditation. There was no separation between the physical places, I felt like I was there in the Temple.

I look forward, like a child on Christmas Eve, to what I will find on the website in the morning; this is all so delicious. Thank you Gurumayi, for being with us in this way, it is truly 21st century devotion and connection!

a Siddha Yogi from Australia

Just after watching Prayer for Peace a big silence has taken place inside me. All my usual questions about my life, about what I'll become, have disappeared. I lived the experience of I am.

Thank you so much for this incredible experience.

With gratitude and devotion,a Siddha Yogi from France

My wife and I were wondering, "How do we introduce our 2 year old to Gurumayi in a way that he will understand and connect to?" He is a third generation Siddha Yogi and seems to love the Siddha Yoga chants, for example, he was singing Sadguru ki Arati even before he could speak. He finds the chant on our ipod and delights in listening to it.

This morning, he was sitting on his mom's lap when we visited the Siddha Yoga path website to join the Pilgrimage in celebration of Gurumayi's Birthday. The first thing we saw was Gurumayi chanting the refrain of Sadguru ki Arati. Our two year old's eyes lit up. We could see that he recognized Gurumayi's voice. We took great delight in saying to him, "That is Gurumayi!"

Thank you, Gurumayi, for this wonderful form of darshan.
We love you.

a family of Siddha Yogis in Australia

I have been having your luminous Darshan throughout the whole day. Every pilgrimage moment more divine than the one before.

Then I came into Chapter 7: Darshan. As I saw you walking on the bridge, my hands automatically went into namaste in front of my heart. Then something happened, I saw you having Bade Baba's darshan in nature as I was having darshan of you!

Bliss and deep serene fullness were pouring throughout my heart and expanding throughout my whole being. You are the luminous and serene bliss inside my heart, my dearest Guru. Thank you for your divine presence within and without. Today’s pilgrimage is something I will never forget.

With all my heart and deepest gratitude,a Siddha Yogi from Brazil

Happiest of Happy Birthdays, Gurumayi!

As you walked into the hall during the “Happy Birthday” song and waved both of your hands, I felt you waving to all of us across the globe, welcoming us as we celebrate your birthday with you.

Walking this Pilgrimage of your birthday is a beautiful gift; with each glimpse of you, you invite us to join you in the space of the Heart, over and over again.

Thank you, Gurumayi!

With all my love,a Siddha Yogi from Montreal, Canada

This morning, the seva I was offering was to perform arati as part of the Sunday recitation of the Rudram at the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Oakland. As it was my Guru's birthday, I dressed with extra care in a fine silk sari, cut beautiful roses for the tray from the garden, and proceeded across the street. As I entered the Ashram, I heard the Om Namah Shivaya chant and looked to see where it was coming from. There was Gurumayi entering the Temple at Shree Muktananda Ashram on a computer screen at the welcome desk. My eyes filled with tears. I had darshan today. I saw the Lord, the Self-luminous, blissful, imperishable one. Thank you, Gurumayi. I love you.

a Siddha Yogi from California, USA

My daughter rang me yesterday morning just after I had sung the Guru Gita. She was very excited. She said, “Mum, you absolutely must go onto the Siddha Yoga website tonight at 7:30 p.m.” When I saw Gurumayi walking towards me through the Temple door, I was so full of love that tears came to my eyes. What an extraordinary experience to be with Gurumayi in the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple.

Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday, Gurumayi, my beloved Guru.

a Siddha Yogi from Australia

You transported me to Shree Muktananda Ashram as I watched the day’s events via the Internet. The love, the shakti, the bliss of being with Gurumayi, with Bhagavan Nityananda in the Temple, around the lake, and tasting a piece of the cake all were so palpable. There were moments when I was so absorbed in the visual that I forgot I wasn't there.

With endless gratitude,a Siddha Yogi from Maine, USA

We are following today's special and beautiful messages with our 18-month-old daughter. We have just finished Prayer for Peace. As Gurumayi held her hands together to close, our daughter, who had been silent throughout, clearly said “peace, peace, peace”—a word she has never used before.

Thank you, Gurumayi, for being the first to teach her this.

A family of Siddha Yogis from Utah, USA

When I hear you chant, it fills me with love and joy. Today when we were celebrating your birthday and listening to you chant, I felt a warm Golden Light come out of me. Thank you for this experience.

Happy Birthday, Gurumayi!

With love,a 12-year-old Siddha Yogi from Connecticut, USA

What a day! What a beautiful day!
A day so lovingly shared with us all.

A day that dissolves time and space into a seamless connection of love.

A day that reminds us that, no matter where we are,

together we pray,
together we chant,
together we serve,
together we love,
together we are one.

a Siddha Yogi from California, USA

My whole being went into deep silence with you entering the Temple and worshiping Bade Baba. I felt the joy of welcoming you and chanting together!

With all my heart,a Siddha Yogi from Poland

I do not often go to my computer first thing on a Sunday, but I did this time. I saw Gurumayi coming to Bhagavan’s Temple and meditating, and I heard the birds singing. I went out into my backyard and saw a plum tree, and I noticed the immense amount of beauty that surrounds me every day.

Gracias, Gurumayi, for your boundless grace and wisdom!

a Siddha Yogi from Mexico

All of a sudden my heart just opened up: I was there singing “Happy Birthday, Gurumayi!” I’d never heard the song before, yet I knew it.

I could feel the love all around. The love being given and the love received. I love you Gurumayi! Thank you for sharing your love and your birthday celebrations with me.

Happy Birthday!

a Siddha Yogi from California, USA

Our family has been glued to the Siddha Yoga website since 5:30 AM New York Time, and it is 12:30 AM India time now.

It has been the best Birthday celebration. By having virtual darshan, we are transported to being in Shree Muktananda Ashram—or has the Ashram come into our home? Both seem true.

Thank you, Gurumayi. We are basking in the outpouring of blessings and love on your Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

a family of Siddha Yogis from India

I've been practicing the Birthday Bliss Dharana in celebration of Gurumayi's Birthday. I had a dream on Thursday that Gurumayi called me and said, I'll see you soon. Of course when I awoke from the dream, I was ecstatic to have had a dream of Gurumayi, and I wondered, Hmmm, when will I see her? I'm in California, and Gurumayi is in Shree Muktananda Ashram.

Today, on Gurumayi's Birthday, I realized my dream came true via Gurumayi's Pilgrimage: A Day of Siddha Yoga Practice and Teachings.

After the blissful celebration of your birthday at the Siddha Yoga Meditation Center in Boulder, we gathered around a laptop in the amrit area and watched Chapter 4: Adoration of the Guru Principle.

It was incredibly sweet to be with you at Shree Muktananda Ashram and to have Bhagavan Nityananda's darshan, Baba Muktananda's darshan, and your darshan.

We all love you very much and wish you a very Happy Birthday!!!

Love alwaysa Siddha Yogi from Colorado, USA

As I read the notes of gratitude and grace from other Siddha Yoga students, I feel the recognition of the Heart, an infectious smile, and the pulsation of love that is reverberating around the world. I am honored to be part of such great company.

Thank you for including all of us so generously in your birthday celebration. May we each receive this gift fully and nourish our world with its fruit.

Sending love and deep gratitude,a Siddha Yogi from Massachusetts

Happy Birthday, Gurumayi! Thank you for using modern technology as yet another vehicle to spread your shimmering grace around the world! What a miracle! I am attending your Birthday celebration from my desk in the middle of the Southwest desert, and I am awestruck at the powerful blessings you have sent soaring through cyberspace—reaching out, sweeping us up, and carrying us all as you always do, on a magic carpet ride straight into your boundless Heart.

With immense love and gratitude,a Siddha Yogi from the USA

Happy Birthday! Today we had satsang at the chanting group in Otobashi, Japan. It was a very, very powerful Birthday Bliss satsang, with small group of devotees.

During satsang, I had darshan in meditation. When I was in deep meditation, I felt great energy flowing through my entire body. My mind was still, and a prayer came to my mind:

Let the whole world be at peace, let all mankind be uplifted and live in peace.

When I came back from satsang, opened the website, and watched the video, Prayer of Peace, I felt the same prayer that had come from my heart when I was in deep meditation.

Thank you, Gurumayiji. Thank you for this blessing. Thank you for shaktipat, and your teachings and guidance. Thank you for being my Shri Guru and protecting me each moment.

a Siddha Yogi from India, staying in Japan

Thank you so much, Gurumayi, for this unexpected gift, this bliss darshan. It is engraved in my heart, in my life, forever.

With all my love and my gratitude. I love you.

a Siddha Yogi from Guadeloupe

Several days ago I made a wish that I could be with you at Shree Muktananda Ashram on your Birthday. This morning when I opened Invoking Grace, my wish came true. I entered the Temple, and there I bowed to Bade Baba. When you entered the Temple, my heart broke open, overflowing with love. And when you offered prayers for peace, I felt peace in my heart.

With deep gratitude and much love, I thank you.

a Siddha Yogi from New Mexico, USA

I am sitting in Café Devine—for real—in a small New York town, as I had no other available internet today. I am imagining all the other thousands of energized computer screens glowing in divine spots all around the world, Siddha Yogis gathered round in this remarkable way to celebrate Gurumayi’s Birthday together.

Thank you for this imaginative and inspired gift to us all.

a Siddha Yogi from New York, USA

Happy Birthday, Gurumayi!

Thank you for this beautiful gift of love. Thank you for sharing, with so much generosity, the beauty and sacredness of your Birthday, the stillness of Shree Muktananda Ashram, and the love that shines through Bade Baba's eyes. This is such a precious gift for all of us.

My 2-year-old daughter and I started the day chanting the Ganesh Mantras, followed by a joyful Happy Birthday and a strong blow to help you with the candle. Did you feel it? Because she went for it!

Shiva Nataraj was shining with splendor; every little second on the video is just an immense sparkle! I can see how with each second my heart just gets fuller and fuller. I can't stop experiencing gratitude for the opportunity of being there with you—and having you with us!

Sadgurunath Maharaj ki Jay!!

two Siddha Yogis from Italy

As we prepare for sleep in Hong Kong, what we have been able to participate in so far has been extraordinary beyond words—to be transported past the boundaries of time and space to Shree Muktananda Ashram, the center of our heart, and to unite with the joy and love of the world’s sangham on the Birthday of our beloved Gurumayi.

Thank you, Gurumayi, for your love, generosity, and grace. Our dreams will surely be sweet until we rejoin the celebrations in the tender light of the morning.

a Siddha Yogi from Hong Kong

I am sitting on a train to London on my way to work. I click onto the website and watch chapters 2 and 3 . . . and it's as if I were there! It's like rays of sunshine flowing in the heart. What a wonderful way to share in Gurumayi's Birthday, no matter where we are or what we are doing. We can bring the energy of this huge love into all that we do all over the world. Thank you.

a Siddha Yogi from England

As I watched Gurumayi offering a prayer stick to the fire, the calming smell of wood smoke literally pervaded the room. It was astonishing and delightful all at once, and I felt as if I were standing right there with her.

a Siddha Yogi from New York, USA

I would like to thank Gurumayi for her immense generosity to offer this gift of darshan.

My family and I began our day in our usual mood of hurriedness—each of us busy in what we had to do for ourselves today.

Thankfully, we had the presence of mind to join the Pilgrimage. When we saw the beautiful and graceful presence of Gurumayi, we all came together. Our moods and attention changed, as if Gurumayi had entered our living room. We had a unified purpose to be present in the moment and receive Gurumayi's grace.

This extraordinary gift has focused us all, and we are immersed in this practice today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Gurumayi, again and again!

a family of Siddha Yogis from New York, USA

Yesterday at the Birthday Bliss Family Satsang the question was asked, “Who would like to share about who Gurumayi is?” A 3-year-old boy, full of bursting energy, pointed to his sister, who was co-hosting, and said, “She is Gurumayi!” Then pointing to the little girl next to him he shouted, “And she is Gurumayi!”

And so it went around the room, so many beautiful expressions of you in the hall, Gurumayi. All of “you” were chanting, and meditating and engaging with the exquisite gift of the Family Satsang. Some of “you” were running and dancing and banging on chairs. The music of the satsang swelled and receded with the squeals of the children and quiet parental whispers, and our 11-year-old co-host sweetly, gently flowed with the rhythm of the families.

My heart is filled with love for you, Gurumayi! Thank you for holding this path, this legacy, for my children and my children’s children with such exquisite love and devotion.

Thank you for being, Gurumayi!

a Siddha Yogi from Massachusetts, USA

We adjusted the audio for Invoking Grace and realized it was the time of sacred silence. We went outside to gather fresh roses from our garden for Gurumayi; the quietude deepened and now pervades the inner house.

It is the stillness and peace of the Ashram at dawn, of the sangham worldwide in meditation, of time itself returning to honor the Guru's feet and the birth of our Beloved. A shawl of blessedness embraces everything.

Thank you, Gurumayi. Happy Birthday!

two Siddha Yogis from Massachusetts, USA

I just saw the video from 7:30 AM, and it went deep into my heart. As Gurumayi meditates in the Temple, birds are starting to sing. With all my windows opened on this wonderful day, I first thought, “ I hear the birds outside.” Bird voices from outside and from the video melted into each other, and I felt totally included, a part of the Temple and my home at the same time.

Thank you so much for this wonderful inclusion. Sadgurunath Maharaj ki Jay!

a Siddha Yogi from Germany

Today, from the other side of the world, I am with you on your birthday—watching you and being with you with so much bliss and stillness. Silently inside I am saying, "I love you so much, Gurumayi, I love you, I love you." And I hear you say back to me, "I love you so-o-o-o much!"

Thank you for your birthday gift to the whole world of this video journal of your birthday as it unfolds.

a Siddha Yogi from Australia

I woke up this morning eager to see what I would find on the website. I knew it would be something special because it was announced, but what I saw was far more powerful than what I had imagined.

The video in the Temple felt exactly like being there physically. It had the same power to draw my inside, to calm my mind, and to help me meditate. Seeing Gurumayi there was true darshan. I felt the same connection and inspiration I feel when I see her physically.

Thank you, what a powerful and meaningful birthday gift for all of us.

With love and gratitude,a Siddha Yogi

As we began the pilgrimage, an incredibly strong silence descended on us, like morning sunlight filtering into a dark room. I felt still, expanded, and deeply peaceful.

Sitting here so far away, viewing the video and drawing on my felt memories of being in the Temple in Shree Muktananda Ashram, I know I am with you beginning this pilgrimage.

a Siddha Yogi from Australia

Thank you for the seva that makes it possible for all of us Siddha Yogis to participate through the Siddha Yoga path website in the 2012 Birthday Bliss celebrations, practicing a dharana, picking mangos, and especially the invitation to join Gurumayi in her Birthday Bliss celebrations at Shree Muktananda Ashram. On Saturday night (June 23) at the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Melbourne, during Gurumayi's Birthday Bliss Celebration Satsang, when they announced this invitation there were gasps of joy echoing around the meditation hall. My heart and face smiled and still are!

The anticipation, joy, love, and sweetness of this celebration has been growing throughout the month of June as I engage in the sacred Siddha Yoga practices and experience—and become more and more aware of—the Guru's grace.

Jaya Gurumayi!!! Sadgurunath Maharaj ki Jay!!

a Siddha Yogi from Australia

Happy Birthday Bliss!

Thanks for the wonderful Siddha Yoga webpage. Where we live there is no Siddha Yoga center, no chanting and meditation group, and we don’t know of any other Siddha Yogi in town, so you can imagine what a precious gift it is to have the Siddha Yoga webpage!

We shared about who Gurumayi is for us, what she has taught us, what we are grateful for, and what we would tell her if she were right here with us in our satsang.

This is what our 9-year-old son shared:

Gurumayi is my Guru. She is a marvelous person filled with love, with peace, enthusiasm, and joy. She is a person filled with energy. She is a perfect person.

Gurumayi has taught me to follow the path of love and to follow our virtues with love. I thank Gurumayi for teaching me good things. I also thank her for being my Guru. I would like to tell her, Gurumayi, I honor you, I admire you, I bow to you, I love you. Namaste.

Beloved Gurumayi, we thank you for being our Guru, for showering us with your grace. We thank you for your teachings and for always guiding us on this amazing Siddha Yoga path. We love you deeply and are truly grateful for having you as our Guru.

Happy Birthday, Gurumayi! May you have a blissful and delightful birthday!